“It’s not your fault.I’m not blaming you.But you’re the pretty one.The popular one.”
Missy looks shocked.“You’re nuts.First of all, Daisy adores you.You’ve never been a burden on her.I’ve always been jealous of how much she loves you.And I’m so sorry you feel that way about us.You’re the only person who has been a true friend to me.When we met at school, you were theonlyone who didn’t hate me for being Miss New Mexico Teen at fourteen–a pageant I never wanted to enter but had to because my mom’s love is conditional, by the way.”
It’s true that other girls hated Missy, but I didn’t even know she’d noticed.She always acted so confident.But of course, she’s a great actress.
I give her a hug.“I’m sorry your mom sucks.”
She squeezes me tight.“I’m sorry yours died.And I know you’re hurting, but it’s not true that you’re unwanted.We love you foryou.Because you’re awesome.”
“Thanks.”We pull apart, and I wipe my tears.
I don’t feel awesome.I feel like I’m still that little girl who was excited for her dad to visit only to realize he just wanted her birthday money.
I got duped.I thought I meant something to Matthias, but it turned out it was just biology.He didn’t want me.He was taking drugs to resist me.
Ugh.
Matthias is back on the mountain with his brothers.Daisy called Winnie to confirm.I told him not to contact me, so it’s stupid that I’m hurt he hasn’t come to see me.
Do I want him to fight for me?
Yeah, I guess I do.
But I don’t know what he could say to change the hurt I feel.
He was doing everything he could to keep from biting me and making it permanent.
He wanted to protect me, but…he was leading me on.This was worse than a pity fuck.I thought it was real.
He fuckingmarriedme.And let me joke about having a honeymoon and helped me with my virginity, and…oh God, it felt so real.I mean I guess it was real, but just the physical part.Just frickin’biology.
Missy squeezes my hand.“You’re going to get through this.And you’ll get over him.You’ve been through a lot in the past few days, but you’ve lived through worse.You got this.”
“Thanks.”I don’t feel like I am living.I feel like I’m the dirt on someone’s shoe.
Missy forces a smile.“Why did the dad stop using his discount card to scrape his windshield?”
“He only got ten percent off,” I answer dully.Not even dad jokes can cheer me up.I cringe at all the times I told them to Matthias like a big, goofy idiot.Probably another instance where he thought I was too young.
No wonder he doesn’t want me as a wife.
“I’ll get us more hot cocoa,” Missy says.She gives my hand one more squeeze and heads out into the hall, where I hear murmured voices.She and Daisy are conferring.
My phone beeps, and I check it.For a second, I wonder if it’s Matthias reaching out, but no, it’s a text from Axel.It loads slowly, and when it appears it takes my breath away.
It’s our wedding photo.We’re at the aisle of the little chapel, the triplets laughing in the background, in their kilts and purple bouquets.
Matthias and I look so happy.I look like a freaking movie star.The star of the show.
I was so happy–even after being kidnapped to marry a mobster by my own dad.I touch my face.Was that really me?
I was glowing.Not just from the diamonds around my neck.I’m in love.
Matthias looks happy too.But it must have been a lie.
Missy returns to find me sobbing.
“What happened?Who do I need to kill?”Her fierce tone reminds me why she’s my best friend.
